Knightly85
Well-Known Member
Just short of 15 miles today, so many cyclists on the road. Must of been overtaken 20 times (possibly even lapped if someone was doing the same route as me) started to get embarrassing! Need to get my fitness up.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Just short of 15 miles today, so many cyclists on the road. Must of been overtaken 20 times (possibly even lapped if someone was doing the same route as me) started to get embarrassing! Need to get my fitness up.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Mild, humid and overcast out with barely a breath of wind which I thought might be fairly good conditions to try a quick blast anti-clockwise round the short version of my Acton Burnell route. I used the Raleigh and was travelling light this time, with just a multitool and the essentials to fix a puncture.
The roads were the quietest I've seen them so far for motor traffic and there weren't many people out walking either. I wasn't really paying full attention to the number of cyclists - I think it was about 12. All this meant that for most of the ride I could really press on, but even so I had to come to a stop for three tractors and to wait for the appropriate gap to pass a couple of walkers and a jogger.
The bike really went well and if I was coming to this with fresher legs than I have today I might even have gone a bit quicker.
17.17 miles today in exactly 1 hour moving time. The fastest average I've achieved on this bike
and with room for improvement.
No photo stops today as you may have guessed.
The roads were the quietest I've seen them so far for motor traffic and there weren't many people out walking either. I wasn't really paying full attention to the number of cyclists - I think it was about 12. All this meant that for most of the ride I could really press on, but even so I had to come to a stop for three tractors and to wait for the appropriate gap to pass a couple of walkers and a jogger.
The bike really went well and if I was coming to this with fresher legs than I have today I might even have gone a bit quicker.
17.17 miles today in exactly 1 hour moving time. The fastest average I've achieved on this bike
and with room for improvement.No photo stops today as you may have guessed.
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
A 14 mile bimble. Very warm and sunny today. Probably less traffic today than at any other day during the lockdown.
My usual route done.
My usual route done.
gavgav
Legendary Member
I observed the 2 minute VE Day silence, stood outside with the bike and then set off into the lovely warm sunshine. Muggy and hardly a breath of wind.
At contrast to @Rickshaw Phil I found loads of traffic in Meole Brace and then the main road to Annscroft was busier than I think I’ve ever seen it!! This included moron number 1 who drifted across onto my side of the road, so they were closer to me, than the verge on their side and moron number 2 who over took me, whilst a motorcycle was coming the other way, forcing him to swerve out of the way.
Thankfully, once I’d passed Annscroft, things quietened down to what i’d expected, as I climbed up through Longden and on to Pulverbatch. I’ve not ridden it in that direction, for ages and I’d forgotten how much of a Climb it is, 550ft in fact.
I then turned onto the scenic lanes, through Wilderley, ploughing through clouds of St Marks flies and paused for a chocolate bar and drink, at the spot with the best view over a good proportion of Shropshire.
I had some entertainment, whilst doing so, as a tractor towing a large implement, came to the junction I was at, turned towards Dorrington and immediately stopped to open a gate, for the field it wanted to go into, filling the road completely. A small daihatsu then came barrelling down from the Longmynd direction, around the corner and locked up completely as he skidded to a stop. He then reverses back into the road I’m stood in, just as the tractor driver gets back in the cab and turns into the field. Car then wheel spins away towards Dorrington, hasn’t seen the 2 cyclists, who were patiently waiting for the tractor and had to slam brakes on again and reverse back into the road again 😂 I think the words are “calm down dear”
I enjoyed the descent down to Dorrington, pausing only a couple of times for tractors towing large trailers, crossed the A49 with ease and had a traffic free ride all the way to Condover and Betton Abbots, before queuing through the traffic lights towards home.
20.75 miles with more climbing today at 1113ft and 13.5mph avg
Edit: completely forgot to mention the WWII plane that flew over, whilst I was stood watching the tractor entertainment!
At contrast to @Rickshaw Phil I found loads of traffic in Meole Brace and then the main road to Annscroft was busier than I think I’ve ever seen it!! This included moron number 1 who drifted across onto my side of the road, so they were closer to me, than the verge on their side and moron number 2 who over took me, whilst a motorcycle was coming the other way, forcing him to swerve out of the way.
Thankfully, once I’d passed Annscroft, things quietened down to what i’d expected, as I climbed up through Longden and on to Pulverbatch. I’ve not ridden it in that direction, for ages and I’d forgotten how much of a Climb it is, 550ft in fact.
I then turned onto the scenic lanes, through Wilderley, ploughing through clouds of St Marks flies and paused for a chocolate bar and drink, at the spot with the best view over a good proportion of Shropshire.
I had some entertainment, whilst doing so, as a tractor towing a large implement, came to the junction I was at, turned towards Dorrington and immediately stopped to open a gate, for the field it wanted to go into, filling the road completely. A small daihatsu then came barrelling down from the Longmynd direction, around the corner and locked up completely as he skidded to a stop. He then reverses back into the road I’m stood in, just as the tractor driver gets back in the cab and turns into the field. Car then wheel spins away towards Dorrington, hasn’t seen the 2 cyclists, who were patiently waiting for the tractor and had to slam brakes on again and reverse back into the road again 😂 I think the words are “calm down dear”
I enjoyed the descent down to Dorrington, pausing only a couple of times for tractors towing large trailers, crossed the A49 with ease and had a traffic free ride all the way to Condover and Betton Abbots, before queuing through the traffic lights towards home.
20.75 miles with more climbing today at 1113ft and 13.5mph avg
Edit: completely forgot to mention the WWII plane that flew over, whilst I was stood watching the tractor entertainment!
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A late morning outing on the Defy today before the heat had the potential to build up. North to Ripley and then, as traffic seemed limited, a rare direct south-eastwards ride on the initially twisty and upwards in part B6165 in a new PR before turning off through Scotton and Farnham. Heading down, relatively speaking given the lumpy terrain, towards Copgrove, an episode of Chicken Run had occurred.
Limited VE day celebrations could be seen, largely restricted to flags which made the public houses passed seem even more sad as most would, it could have been anticipated, be fully decked out but were devoid of anything. In Burton Leonard I did a double take, yes it was a VE day scarecrow (far left of the photo).
South on the A61 from Wormald Green with straight away a set of TTLs encountered. For the first time on a “lockdown” ride I had taken something to eat with me and planned to stop at South Stainley but everywhere readily available off the A61 seemed to be baking in the sun so I tackled the climb south and then pulled in at shady entrance way. Further on along the A61 a bus passed with an appropriate message on its rear display for the day.
Plenty of cyclists out, most greeting. 20.17 miles @ 14.9mph avg 1106ft climbed
Limited VE day celebrations could be seen, largely restricted to flags which made the public houses passed seem even more sad as most would, it could have been anticipated, be fully decked out but were devoid of anything. In Burton Leonard I did a double take, yes it was a VE day scarecrow (far left of the photo).
South on the A61 from Wormald Green with straight away a set of TTLs encountered. For the first time on a “lockdown” ride I had taken something to eat with me and planned to stop at South Stainley but everywhere readily available off the A61 seemed to be baking in the sun so I tackled the climb south and then pulled in at shady entrance way. Further on along the A61 a bus passed with an appropriate message on its rear display for the day.
Plenty of cyclists out, most greeting. 20.17 miles @ 14.9mph avg 1106ft climbed
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- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
I wonder if WF Kerswell drives a Daihatsu?
(For those outside the area, WF Kerswell is a prolific letter-writer to the local paper and the road Gav mentions leads to the village he claims to live in. I recall one of his rants in particular - about dangerous cyclists who come hurtling off the Long Mynd at 70 miles per hour.
)Shearwater Missile
Veteran
Just a short ride today to get some eggs from my nearby text and collect farm. If I cycle directly there it is only 3 miles so I go a longer route (of course) making 12.4 miles in total. It felt very humid out today and my legs were telling me something, like we are tired. I`d been out the last three days doing over 22 each time and felt good but today was a different story. It did`nt help much by running into flies and swallowing one, pesky little blighter. 104 miles this week and today was the warmest at 21oC.
Plenty of single white male drivers out, no close passes but certainly making sure that their right foot gets plenty of exercise.
Enjoy the weather as it is due to change on Sunday.
Plenty of single white male drivers out, no close passes but certainly making sure that their right foot gets plenty of exercise.
Enjoy the weather as it is due to change on Sunday.
roley poley
Veteran
- Location
- leeds
Many meanderthals 3 abreast oblivious to nature or traffic shirtless getting a bit of sun to the back of their necks as they dragged knuckles and dogs along a local bridleway never been like this before at least they had plenty of larger to stay hydrated. I went back on the road .
Another ride on the Defy after the seized bolt on the TCR became a snapped bolt due to my ham fisted mechanicing 
. Waited till after lunch before heading out ,Dropped down the hill from home as I entered the island I spotted a rider coming from my right as I had to stop at the lights he got past me I closed the gap to about 5m and rediscovered drafting as I have been riding solo all year it's quite a novelty 
. For the next 3 miles we swapped places several times both keeping a respectful distance had a quick chat as we stopped at some temporary lights . We parted company soon afterwards .I headed up the Wreake valley on the flatter side to Asfordby were I crossed the A607 were the terrain becomes a lot more rolling . Some nice lanes back to Gaddesby which I hadn't riden for sometime back to Rearsby were I rejoined the outward route and retraced my route home 33.2 miles with 1572ft of upness at @16.8 mph which on the Defy is pretty rapid . It was nice spotting all the VE decorations quite a few really good efforts . While out riding I got thinking when did I last ride with someone ? ,Check Strava on returning home to discover it was new years Day with @Supersuperleeds begining to miss riding with friends and cafe stops .
Coffee stop at home question shop bought or homemade ? Just to let you know the shop bought one is the one with the flag if theres any confusion
Answer both
. Waited till after lunch before heading out ,Dropped down the hill from home as I entered the island I spotted a rider coming from my right as I had to stop at the lights he got past me I closed the gap to about 5m and rediscovered drafting as I have been riding solo all year it's quite a novelty . For the next 3 miles we swapped places several times both keeping a respectful distance had a quick chat as we stopped at some temporary lights . We parted company soon afterwards .I headed up the Wreake valley on the flatter side to Asfordby were I crossed the A607 were the terrain becomes a lot more rolling . Some nice lanes back to Gaddesby which I hadn't riden for sometime back to Rearsby were I rejoined the outward route and retraced my route home 33.2 miles with 1572ft of upness at @16.8 mph which on the Defy is pretty rapid . It was nice spotting all the VE decorations quite a few really good efforts . While out riding I got thinking when did I last ride with someone ? ,Check Strava on returning home to discover it was new years Day with @Supersuperleeds begining to miss riding with friends and cafe stops .Coffee stop at home question shop bought or homemade ? Just to let you know the shop bought one is the one with the flag if theres any confusion
Answer both
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chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
A nice warm day for a change, so I headed out into one of my favourite sections of forest. The first 7 kilometres is along quiet country lanes and crops were starting to appear in the fields. Every ride is different at the moment as spring slowly advances the canopy gets ever thicker and plants of all varieties bloom in the clearings. After a few kilometres of dirt trails the ride hits it's first gravel fire road and for several kilometres I fly along listening to the bird song and the gentle hiss of gravel under the tires. Then the first section of sand is heralded by a fox breaking cover and running across the track in front of me.
The sand is an absolute blast to ride on, I've recently fitted some 44mm tires and they provided so much more grip than the narrow 38mm I had on before, the bike is still sliding around, but in a much more controllable way. Further on, on blasting down some narrow single track between the trees, intently scanning the track ahead, when a loud rustle causes me to look up and I see a Buzzard flying down the track in front of me. I watch for a while as he slowly gains height then circle over the trees above me. The ride then meanders on past large log piles from the recent spring tree felling, before slowly emerging from the forest and back onto quiet lanes before arriving home.
35 kilometres in total, a nice afternoon ride in the glorious spring sun.
The sand is an absolute blast to ride on, I've recently fitted some 44mm tires and they provided so much more grip than the narrow 38mm I had on before, the bike is still sliding around, but in a much more controllable way. Further on, on blasting down some narrow single track between the trees, intently scanning the track ahead, when a loud rustle causes me to look up and I see a Buzzard flying down the track in front of me. I watch for a while as he slowly gains height then circle over the trees above me. The ride then meanders on past large log piles from the recent spring tree felling, before slowly emerging from the forest and back onto quiet lanes before arriving home.
35 kilometres in total, a nice afternoon ride in the glorious spring sun.
gavgav
Legendary Member
I wrote a response back to him, over that said letter 🤣 I asked him when the Tour de France had been re-routed to include the Longmynd and even they would be setting record times at that speed! Not sure if it even got printed?!I wonder if WF Kerswell drives a Daihatsu?
(For those outside the area, WF Kerswell is a prolific letter-writer to the local paper and the road Gav mentions leads to the village he claims to live in. I recall one of his rants in particular - about dangerous cyclists who come hurtling off the Long Mynd at 70 miles per hour.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A lovely ride. A whizz down to Yealmpton and then up to Wirston and Westlake. Down into Ermington and along to Ivybridge.
From there I did the reverse of my new favourite ride up to Harford, such a pretty Lane, with views of the moor.
Cornwood and Sparkwell, then back to Worston. Dunstone and the coast road home.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3418973281
From there I did the reverse of my new favourite ride up to Harford, such a pretty Lane, with views of the moor.
Cornwood and Sparkwell, then back to Worston. Dunstone and the coast road home.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3418973281
Chromatic
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
Similar start to my ride on Wednesday, from Gloucester up the A38, turned right at The Odessa pub heading to Tredington, stopped for pic of church there before heading back meandering my way through Stoke Orchard, Boddington, Staverton and Down Hatherley.
Traffic quite light on the roads and my stop to look at the motorway showed fewer vehicles on there than for quite a while. Lots of cyclists out.
21 miles.
Traffic quite light on the roads and my stop to look at the motorway showed fewer vehicles on there than for quite a while. Lots of cyclists out.
21 miles.
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CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
It was a choice between a VE day street party / virus spreadathon on my road, or a ride out this afternoon. I opted for the latter and was joined by my wife and daughter.
Just 7 miles or so, some light off road, some cycle ways, really lovely out. We came across two stranded ladies on a trail who had borrowed their sons' mountain bikes and one had had a mishap, the chain had come off the front chainring on the inside and wedged absolutely solid between / beyond the frame and the chainring. So large amounts of brute force later they were back on their way, with a tip to get the limit screw checked.
I had a break at a peaceful cemetery while an all too energetic daughter performed perpetual laps of the roundabout while she waited for me to have a drink.
Just 7 miles or so, some light off road, some cycle ways, really lovely out. We came across two stranded ladies on a trail who had borrowed their sons' mountain bikes and one had had a mishap, the chain had come off the front chainring on the inside and wedged absolutely solid between / beyond the frame and the chainring. So large amounts of brute force later they were back on their way, with a tip to get the limit screw checked.
I had a break at a peaceful cemetery while an all too energetic daughter performed perpetual laps of the roundabout while she waited for me to have a drink.
